Antonello Gauci
Chief Executive Officer
Paula Doumanov
Chief Services Officer
Melissa Schembri
Head of People & Culture
Brenda Cefai
Head of Disability programmes
Stephanie Farrugia
Head of Therapeutic Programmes and Services
Antonella Frau
Assistant Head of Facilities
Antonello Gauci
Chief Executive Officer
After 18 years in the corporate world, Antonello decided to blend his passion for leadership, philanthropy and creating change by choosing to take up what he loved doing most.
Antonello joined Inspire at the time the merger between Razett tal-Hbiberja and The Eden Foundation was about to take place and since then he has been involved in every aspect of the organisation. Before being appointed CEO, Antonello’s role was that of Chief Operating Officer. He was responsible for Inspire’s Social Enterprise units which included the running of the fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, as well as the LWS Park and the various charity shops. Antonello’s role also incorporated HR, IT and operations.
Antonello holds a Master’s in Leadership and Sustainability and is a fellow member of the Institute of Leadership and Management in the United Kingdom (“UK”). He is also the former chairman of the Voices Foundation. Antonello is a trustee of The Alfred Mizzi Foundation, and a board member of The Ladybird Foundation, CORE platform, and Fundazzjoni Dar il Hena. He also sits on the Sustainability Committee of Alf Mizzi & Sons Ltd.
Paula Doumanov
Chief Services Officer
Paula qualified as an Occupational Therapist (OT) in 1994 and subsequently obtained a Master’s in OT from the University of Exeter (UK). During the last 31 years of her career, she worked as an OT in several countries enabling her to gain extensive experience across settings. Initially specialising as a therapist in the field of neurology and later becoming a Clinical Specialist and Clinical Lead OT – setting up OT services and providing professional leadership as part of Winter Pressure initiatives to reduce waiting lists within the National Health Service (NHS), as well as OT services within a newly established Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Service in the UK.
Previously serving as the Chief Services Officer at Inspire for eight years leading all disability-related services/programmes, after completing a Quality Management Systems Auditor Training Course, Paula’s role changed to that of Quality and Compliance Consultant as part of the organisation’s drive towards excellence and was responsible for driving total quality management across Inspire to ensure that the design, content, and delivery of its services are of the highest possible standard and quality. After 3 years in this role, Paula was re-appointed as Chief Services Officer and is also a member of Inspire’s Research and Innovation Council.
Melissa Schembri
Head of People & Culture
Melissa Schembri is the Head of People and Culture at Inspire, where she leads the HR strategy to enhance employee satisfaction and well-being within a mission-driven environment. As a Certified NLP Practitioner and Coach, she is passionate about providing insights that foster a positive workplace culture.
Melissa began her career by founding a Talent Management and Consulting Agency, where she discovered her fulfilment in driving company growth and helping organisations thrive. She later relocated to Canada, joining a telecommunications company. There, she held a managerial role overseeing Operations and Human Resources for eight years, contributing to improvements in employee engagement and operational efficiency. Upon returning to Malta, Melissa continued her leadership career in the telecommunications sector, where she specialized in the Human Resources Department, focusing on employee engagement and talent management, while also reestablishing her HR consultancy and coaching practice to further support organizations in enhancing their workplace culture.
To further enhance her expertise in strategic management and operational excellence, Melissa earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is currently pursuing an NLP Master Practitioner certification. Her commitment to employee well-being is reflected in her academic research, which examined the relationship between occupational stress and employee engagement within non-governmental organisations (NGOs), offering valuable insights into creating supportive work environments.
Brenda Cefai
Head of Disability programmes
Brenda Cefai is the Head of Disability Programmes at Inspire. With a background as a qualified teacher, she has spent several years teaching in State primary schools, gaining valuable experience in the educational sector. Brenda also served as a Head of Centre within the Ministry for Education and Employment for five years, where she further developed her leadership skills. Her passion for education led her to pursue a master’s degree in Inclusive Education, where she concentrated on children experiencing socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties. This focus allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by children with individual needs and how to support them effectively.
In addition to her first master’s degree, Brenda completed a master’s in business administration with a specialisation in Educational Leadership. This advanced study furthered her expertise in leading educational initiatives and managing programmes that aim to be inclusive and supportive of all students. Her primary area of interest lies in inclusive education, with a particular focus on supporting children with severe disabilities. Through her work, Brenda is dedicated to promoting inclusive educational practices that ensure all children, regardless of their abilities, receive the support and opportunities they need to thrive. Her career reflects a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.
Stephanie Farrugia
Head of Therapeutic Programmes and Services
Stephanie Farrugia is the Head of Therapeutic Programmes and Services at Inspire. A physiotherapist by profession, she brings over thirty years of experience in the disability sector, along with more than twenty years of expertise in the field of inclusion. In 2022, Stephanie completed a Master’s degree in Disability Studies from the University of Malta, which deepened her understanding of disability from a social perspective. Her specialization lies in providing interventions for children and adults with multiple disabilities, having worked in both clinical and NGO settings. At Inspire, Stephanie is dedicated to integrating traditional therapies with complementary approaches, aiming to enhance holistic care. She is also passionate about advocacy and is in charge of the STAR programme, where a dedicated team strives to improve the lives of young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), primarily through the implementation of active support strategies.
Antonella Frau
Assistant Head of Facilities
As the Assistant Head of Facilities at Inspire, Antonella has been an integral member of the Facilities and Operations Department for the past eight years. She has gained extensive experience in managing daily operations, coordinating maintenance works, supporting project implementations, and ensuring the seamless functioning of facilities across the organization.
In her current role, Antonella works closely with the Head of Facilities, sharing responsibility for overseeing maintenance schedules, coordinating with contractors and service providers, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and supporting various operational needs across departments. Her role also involves active collaboration with internal teams to drive ongoing improvements, energy-saving initiatives, and infrastructure upgrades.
Antonella has built a strong understanding of the Inspire environment and continuously strives to contribute to its efficient and safe operation. She is proud to be part of the Inspire family and is committed to enhancing the facilities that help the organization serve its community more effectively.